Stephenson signs before deadline

Just before the deadline expired, the Reds signed 2011 first-round pick Robert Stephenson. The right-handed high school pitcher will receive a $2 million bonus.

Stephenson, 18, was the 27th overall selection in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of Alhambra High School in Martinez, Calif. During his senior season, he was 7-2 with a 1.33 ERA in 64 innings, and he tossed two no-hitters.

“We got him right there at the end,” Reds senior director of amateur scouting Chris Buckley said just after the 12:01 a.m. ET deadline early Tuesday. “You never want to pick a guy in the first round to not sign him.”

And Stephenson was also happy.

“I’m really excited and definitely relieved to get it done,” Stephenson said by phone. “It was literally at the last minute by the phone waiting for a call.”

Like this:

Related

4 Comments

Welcome back, Mark. If you were out of town you missed the best weather of the summer and some of the worst baseball. On the other hand, there was a four game winning streak. On the other other hand, that may just give us time to find a higher ledge to jump off of. Mark, do you think the Reds are really serious about Alonso at third or are they just trying to broaden the trade market?

@maxblue — I do think the Reds are serious. They would like to find a way, any way, to get his bat in the lineup. Whether he can play the position is another matter. I guess we’ll see. Interesting that he’s back in LF today.

Archives

Meta

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.